Golf practice mat apparatus

ABSTRACT

A golf practice mat apparatus that includes adjacent areas for respectively supporting a user and a golf ball; an imbalanced and deformable member at the user support area and upon which the user stands with the legs of the user spread apart in a normal golf stance; and a built-up turf surface at the golf ball area for supporting the golf ball that is substantially the same height as the top of the imbalanced and deformable member after applying a user&#39;s weight to the deformable member.

RELATED CASE

Priority for this application is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to commonly owned and co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/460,927 which was filed on Jan. 10, 2011 and which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a golf training or practice apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved golf practice mat apparatus used to enhance the skills of a golfer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

There are a number of existing devices that assist a golfer in improving his or her golfing skills. However, most of these devices are directed toward improvement by focusing on one particular part of the swing without incorporating transition through the proper swing sequence, and without hitting an actual golf ball.

The present invention is directed toward improving ball striking skill by using an unstable platform to develop strong lower body stability and the proper ground-up swing sequence while being able to actually hit golf balls. The advantages offered by swing training by directly engaging a golf ball and producing a golf shot are significant.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved golf practice mat apparatus that is adapted to employ a deformable unstable platform to allow users to improve the proper swing sequence from the feet-up while at the same time improving stability and lower body strength.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved golf mat practice apparatus that assists in promoting a downward strike through impact rather than an upward “scooping” motion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a golf practice apparatus that comprises adjacent areas for respectively supporting a user and a golf ball; an imbalanced and a deformable member at the user's support area and upon which the user stands with the legs of the user spread apart in a normal golf stance; and a built-up turf surface at the golf ball area for supporting the golf ball.

In accordance with still further aspects of the present invention, wherein the apparatus includes separate sections for the user and golf ball; wherein said sections can be connected and disconnected; wherein preferably including as part of the apparatus a divider wall for separating the imbalanced and deformable member into two separate members; wherein said imbalanced and deformable member preferably comprises two separate adjacently disposed members that provide separate imbalance for each leg of the user; wherein each said deformable member comprises a bladder with an air chamber; wherein each said deformable member comprises a bladder with a liquid chamber; wherein each said deformable member comprises a flexible soft foam pad; wherein the turf surface has a rest surface at substantially the same height as the top of the imbalanced and deformable member after applying user's body weight; wherein the turf surface includes a planar section in a contiguous sloped section; wherein the sloped section is along a side edge of the apparatus; wherein said sloped section preferably has at three separate areas each of different angle slope; wherein a first slope is on the order of 1e-6e; wherein a second slope is on the order of 10e-15e; and wherein a third slope is on the order of 20e-30e.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It should be understood that the drawings are provided for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to define the limits of the disclosure. The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the embodiments described herein will become apparent with reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the golf mat practice apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a further perspective view illustrating the apparatus as used by a golfer;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of a portion of an interconnecting section between two frame sections of the golf mat practice apparatus in another embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing further details of the mat apparatus;

FIG. 3 a is a cross-sectional view of the mat apparatus similar to that of FIG. 3 but with the user's weight being applied; and

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are respective fragmentary views illustrating the slope section of the mat apparatus.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are respective views of adjustable and removable sloped sections of the mat apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the golf mat practice apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the drawings and in particular FIGS. 1-5 for an embodiment of the present invention. This particular golf mat practice apparatus is meant for the development of golf ball striking skills, ground-up transition and lower body strength and stability. For this purpose the apparatus preferably comprises a pair of round or square-shaped imbalanced deformable cushions adjacent to a built-up turf surface such that a user can actually hit golf balls while standing on the imbalanced deformable cushions, the built-up turf surface and the imbalanced deformable cushions being substantially level after the user's weight is applied to the cushions. These cushions may be constructed of a PVC material and may be air filled or filled with another substance such as water or gel, or constructed of a soft foam pad.

A further asset of the present invention is that it is constructed and arranged so as to promote a downward blow while striking the golf ball rather than a “scooping up” action on the ball. Gravity is an important part of a powerful swing when the golfer initiates the downward swing. Most average golfers tend to scoop the ball with the golf club, not using downward momentum for maximum club head speed. The typical design of a golf club already has proper loft and there is no need to “scoop” upward. However, there is a tendency for the inexperienced golfer to “scoop” the club due to how the club face appears to the golfer. With inexperienced golfers it is often difficult to hit a long and straight golf shot because of this “scooping” action. This tendency is overcome in accordance with the present invention and as described in further detail hereinafter, by providing part of the mat surface with a sloping section, preferably multiple sloping sections.

Reference is now made to further details of one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. This includes a frame 10 having adjacent areas for respectively supporting a user or golfer 12 and a golf ball 15. The drawings illustrate the ball at 15 supported on a golf tee 14 on the turf surface. The frame 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as separated into two separate frame sections 16 and 18 each of which may be of the same size or of slightly different size. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame section 16 may be between one and five feet wide by two and ten feet long. It is noted that the frame section 16 is preferably separated by a wall 17 into two different areas for respectively receiving the imbalanced and deformable members 20. Each of the deformable members 20 may between ten and forty inches in length and width or diameter. In this embodiment each of the deformable members 20 may be considered as a cushion or bladder that is inflated so that when the golfer stands upon each of these bladders, there is a certain imbalance that is desired. Once the golfer has accustomed himself or herself to standing in that manner, when making a normal swing on the golf course, stability and improvement in proper swing sequence is substantially increased by having stood upon an imbalanced member.

In the illustrations herein, such as in FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown separate imbalanced and deformable members 20. However, in another embodiment of the present invention the divider wall 17 may be removed and a single imbalanced and deformable member may be employed in its place covering substantially the entire section 16. In another further embodiment of the present invention three or more imbalanced and deformable members may be employed covering substantially the entire section of 16. In the illustrations, the deformable member 20 is shown as rectangular. However, in other embodiments of the present invention, it may be circular or any other shape. In this regard refer also to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 that shows the deformable member 20 in the form of a bladder 22 with an internal chamber 24. The imbalanced and deformable member 20 may be filled with virtually any fluid. Preferably air is used but alternatively a liquid such as water may also be used. The imbalanced and deformable member 20 may be permanently attached to frame 16 or removable.

Refer also to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 which shows the construction of the apparatus including the frame 10, as well as the turf surface or layer 30. Preferably, the height of the deformable member 20 shown in FIG. 3 may be approximately between two and eighteen inches. The thickness of the layer 30 may be anywhere from ¼ and six inches. Below the surface 30 there is preferably provided a foam or rubber layer 32 attached to layer 30. This layer 32 may be permanently attached to the bottom of surface layer 30 or employed as a separate, removable layer. This thickness of layer 32 may be anywhere from ¼ and six inches.

Refer also to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3A which shows the deformable member 20 at substantially the same level as the turf surface 30, assuming the user's weight has been applied to the deformable member 20, where FIG. 3 shows the deformable member 20 higher than the turf surface 30 in which a user's weight has not yet been applied.

The frame 10 is preferably provided with a pair of hinges 25 that interconnect the frame sections 16 and 18. Also, the section 16 includes a handle 27. The hinges 25 enable the sections 16 and 18 to fold against each other and the entire apparatus can then be moved by grasping the handle 27. There may also be an accompanying handle on the section 18. Alternatively, the frame sections 16 and 18 may also be interconnected by slotting one section 29′ of, e.g., a sliding dovetail joint into the channel 29 of the other as seen in FIG. 2A. Other joining techniques may also be used. As another alternative, the frame 10 is a unitary frame member comprising a user support section 16 and a golf ball support section 18.

While it is preferable that the frame sections 16 and 18 be connected during use, it is not absolutely necessary that the frame sections 16 and 18 be connected. That is, as an alternative, the frame sections 16 and 18 can be placed adjacent one another, either touching or separated, and used in the unconnected state as shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 1 also illustrates the turf surface at 30 supporting the tee 14 with a ball 15 shown in solid outline on the tee 14. FIG. 1 also illustrates by dotted outline possible alternate positions of the ball 15. In this regard, it is noted that the area of the frame section 16 is sufficiently large so that the golfer can move forward and back in that section so as to align the golfer with the position of the ball 15. In that way, the ball 15 can be placed at different locations, such as the different locations illustrated in FIG. 1 and can be properly engaged by the golfer.

The turf surface 30 is primarily constructed as a planar surface and thus includes a planar section 35. The planar section 35 extends, with reference to FIG. 1, from the right side of the frame 10, to a demarcation line 36 which extends substantially parallel to a left side of the frame 10, for right handed golfers. The demarcation line 36 may be anywhere from 2 to 18 inches from the left-hand frame sidewall, for right handed golfers. From this demarcation line, the turf surface slopes downwardly. Refer also to FIGS. 4A-4C. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the different sloping surfaces at respectively 38A, 38B and 38C. The sloping surfaces may be contiguous as illustrated or may have a slight separation there between. The idea behind the slope surface is to visually indicate to the user at least a limited surface area that promotes a downward swing motion so as to prevent the aforementioned “scooping” action of the club.

Three separate slopes are illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C. FIG. 4A would indicate a slope when the user is using a driver off of the tee. In this instance the slope may be in a range of 1e-6e. FIG. 4B illustrates a slope of 10e-15e. This is advantageous for use with a fairway wood or a long iron. This is illustrated in FIG. 1 by the placement shown in dotted outline of the ball 15 in the middle. FIG. 1 also illustrates in dotted outline the ball 15 closest to the section 16. That portion of the slope 4C section may have a slope in a range of 20e-30e. This would be for use with a short iron.

The slope areas may be adjustable and removable as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. FIG. 5A shows a slope which can be adjusted up and down a range of degrees. The adjustment can be made by using a pivot mechanism to move the slope up and down. For example, a ratchet type pivot mechanism could be used in which a toothed round gear cooperates with a pivoting, spring-loaded pawl that engages the teeth to hold the slope at a desired angle to the horizontal. FIG. 5B shows a slope which can be adjusted side to side, which can visually promote a more inside-out or outside-in swing path. The adjustment can be made by using a pivot mechanism to move the slope side to side. For example, a tab 39 can be inserted into one of a plurality of slots at different positions to hold the slope in a desired position.

Each of the deformable members 20, as indicated previously, can be of various shapes. The bladder itself is typically constructed of a resilient and pliable material. By filling the chamber with air or other substance, when the golfer stands upon the deformable member, there is a feeling of instability which, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, is desired.

Having now described a limited number of embodiments of the present invention, it should now be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous other embodiments and modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A golf practice mat apparatus comprising: a frame member comprising a user support section and a golf ball support section for respectively supporting a user and a golf ball; at least one imbalanced and deformable member provided at the user support section and upon which the user stands with the legs of the user spread apart in a normal golf stance; and a built-up turf surface at the golf ball support section for supporting a golf ball, wherein the turf surface is substantially the same height as the top of the at least one imbalanced and deformable member after applying user's body weight to the at least one deformable member.
 2. The golf practice apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one imbalanced and deformable member comprises at least two separate adjacently disposed members that provide separate imbalance for each leg of the user.
 3. The golf practice apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of said deformable members comprises a bladder with an air chamber.
 4. The golf practice apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of said deformable members comprises a bladder with a liquid chamber.
 5. The golf practice apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one imbalanced and deformable member comprises a single imbalanced and deformable member that provides imbalance for both legs of the user.
 6. The golf practice apparatus of claim 5, wherein said single imbalanced and deformable member comprises a bladder with an air chamber.
 7. The golf practice apparatus of claim 5, wherein said single imbalanced and deformable member comprises a bladder with a liquid chamber.
 8. The golf practice apparatus of claim 1, wherein the turf surface includes a planar section and a contiguous sloped section sloping downwardly away from the planar section.
 9. The golf practice apparatus of claim 8, wherein the sloped section is along a side edge of the frame.
 10. The golf practice apparatus of claim 9, wherein the sloped section has one or more separate areas of different slope.
 11. The golf practice apparatus of claim 10, wherein said sloped section has separate areas each of different slope.
 12. The golf practice apparatus of claim 11, wherein a first slope is on the order of 1e-6e.
 13. The golf practice apparatus of claim 11, wherein a second slope is on the order of 10e-15e.
 14. The golf practice apparatus of claim 11, wherein a third slope is on the order of 20e-30e.
 15. The golf practice apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame member comprises separate frame sections for said user support section and said golf ball support section, the separate frame sections being joined by connecting parts.
 16. The golf practice apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame member comprises separate frame sections for said user support section and said golf ball support section, the separate frame sections being provided adjacent one another during use.
 17. The golf practice apparatus of claim 1, wherein said user support section includes a divider wall for separating the at least two separate adjacently disposed members that provide separate imbalance for each leg of the user. 